Homemade gifts are the best kind- and they’re the least expensive! We’ve rounded up 25 of our best DIY tutorials for homemade gifts (they make fab favors too!) to inspire you to go handmade this holiday season!

Baked goods in jars:

For neat individual servings, try baking breads, muffins and cupcakes right in the jar. You can put them directly in the oven to bake  and after they’re cooled, wrap them with fabric, ribbon and twine for decoration.

Check out how to make banana bread in a jar with this tutorial.

Sequins are impossibly glamorous. The way they catch the light, the glitter effect in photographs. Is there anything more perfect for a wedding?

These non-traditional dresses will definitely give you the opportunity to make a dramatic entrance. Whether you wear it for your wedding dress or change into one later; for a unique alternative, sequins are the way to go. The fun begins with choosing a color; gold and silver will dazzle, black and white are great for sophisticated receptions and jewel tones such as emerald green give a dose of intensity. Sequined bridesmaids dresses are another way to incorporate this trend. Short and mix-matched styles will also give your friends a stunning party dress for the day after too!

Geometric sequin designs can serve as great embellishments on dresses. They still have enough impact but in a softer way. Deep necklines and cap sleeves with shoulder pads or draping add volume to fitted silhouettes, and keep the look balanced. Whilst strapless dresses with a sweetheart neckline give more of a bridal touch, especially in pale silver and white.

Long sleeves and sequins were made for each other. The extra coverage and simpler style gives you ample opportunity to play around with accessories. Casually draped fur stoles and headpieces are finishing touches that really show your sequins off. If a full-on sequin wedding dress isn’t for you; small sequin details on a skirt with a bustier still give enough shimmer. Sequined capes and cropped jackets are cover-ups that will also transform your dress.

This post was inspired by our friends at Bride.com.au. Check out their website for more gorgeous wedding gowns.

Photo one:Caught the Light; Photo two: polkadotbride.com; Photo three: lovekatieandsarah.com; Photo four: etsy.com; Photo five: oncewed.com; Photo six: stylemepretty.com; Photo seven: weddingchicks.com; Photo eight: whitemagazine.com.au

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Kristina and Jeffrey had an intimate wedding at Evergreen Acres Tree Farm, a Christmas tree farm owned by the groom’s grandparents. Even though the May temps were hovering around 38 degrees F, they didn’t let the chill in the air spoil their wedding day; instead, they braved the cold for their vows and celebrated their union in style, dancing under a canopy of globe lights before being whisked away in sparkler send-off on a John Deere tractor!

A huge thank you to Daphne and Dean for sharing all the wonderful and fun photos with us.

Kristina, 31 & Jeffrey, 27

Colchester, Connecticut

Wedding Date:  May 26, 2013

Number of Guests:  19

Wedding Cost: $5,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Evergreen Acres Tree Farm

Wedding Reception Location: Same as above

In a truly intimate ceremony, witnessed only by their officiant and captured beautifully by their photographer Leah Muse, Canadians Rachel and Wayne exchanged  vows on the picturesque grounds of Le San Michele in Austin, Texas followed by a romantic dinner for two; proving, once and for all, that bigger isn’t always better – even in Texas.

BTW, Rachel, who used to write for us, is a professional photographer based in London, Ontario. You can check out here work here.

Rachel, 31 & Wayne, 29

Austin, Texas

Wedding Date: September, 5, 2013

Number of Guests: 0

Wedding Cost: $5,000 (including flight from Canada)

Wedding Ceremony Location: Le San Michele

Wedding Reception Location: Olive and June

If you’re just waiting for that special someone to pop the question, but a traditional diamond engagement ring ain’t your thing, have no fear because we’ve rounded up 12 alternative options to dress up that ring finger of yours. Feel free to forward this to your main squeeze and let the hint dropping begin!

Just because you don’t want a traditional engagement ring doesn’t mean you can’t rock a diamond. Opt for one of these elegant and understated options.